Pillow block



Dec. 25, 1951 G'. L. MEYERS 2,580,119

PILLOW BLOCK Filed 001:. 31, 1945 INVENTOR.

GEORGE L. MEYERS ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 25,1951

mesne assignments; to The Ohio Rubber Company, Willoughby, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application October 31, 1945, Serial No. 625,755

6 Claims. (01. 308--26) The present invention relates to bearings for shafts and the like of the type commonly known as pillow blocks, the principal objects being to provide a bearing of this type which will be of simple and inexpensive construction, which will permit of ready alignment Where, as usual, two or more. such bearings are employed, and which will include vibration dampening means so as to insure quiet operation of the shaft supported by the bearings.

Still another object is to incorporate in the bearing means whereby the same will be continuously supplied with lubricant.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a bearing in the form of a, pillow block. embodying my present improvements Fig. 2 is a central vertical section thereof taken on the plane indicated by the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-,3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of certain elements of the bearing taken on the. same plane as that of Fig. 2 but showing such elements as they appear prior to assembly; and V Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the .ccme ponent elementsof the bearing. 7

Referring to Eigs. l, 2' and 3, it will be seen that the bearing is supported on a base I which willpreferably consist of a plate stamped from sheet metal adapted for attachment to any suit-. able support 2. The intermediate portion 3. of

such plate. ispreferably slightly raised above the .endportions whereby the plateis thus attached, and fixedly secured to such central raised portion is an arcuate clamping member '4 which will likewise preferably consist of. a stamping and which may be conveniently thus secured to the base plate by being spot welded at its midpoint thereto. Secured to supper-tut by the same attaching meansv assuch base plate .is a complementary clamping member of general U- shape having, sides. 5 adapted to fit over. said clamping member 4. The arcuate extent of the respective clamping members is such that when the second is secured in place over the first'their inwardly directed faces will approximately but not quite form a complete circle, such faces being transversely curved about an approximately common center.

When assembled together the opposed arcuate clamping members thus provided are designedto secure therebetween an annular member 1 01' resiliently deformable material, for example vulcanized rubber, either natural or synthetic, and preferably of oil-resistant character. As initially molded, said resiliently deformable annular member 1 is formed with its outer facet of a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the opposed arcuate faces of the clamping members and with a transverse curvature approximately the same as that of said clamping members. Said member I is also formed interiorly with an encircling depression or groove 9 located midway between its sides with which a radial passage ID that extends to its outer face communicates.

The bearing proper consists of a bushing I2 which may be made of any of the usual metals employed in the construction of bearings, but will desirably be of pervious character so that oil or other lubricant supplied to the outer surface thereof may pass through to the inner surface of said sleeve and thus lubricate the shaft S journalled therein. Exteriorly press fitted onto bearing sleeve [2 are two rings [3 illustrated separately in Fig. 5, each of which is provided with an outwardly directed flange I4. The aggregate width of said rings is substantially less than the length of the sleeve so that when the rings are applied to the latter with the flanges directed toward each other, they will define an annular lubricant retaining chamber corresponding in location with the encircling groove 9 formed in the inner face of resiliently deformable annular member 1. If desired, al though not necessarily, sleeve I2 may be pro- .vided at one end with an outwardly directed flange It. against which the adjacent ring l3 seats and is thereby properly located.

In assembling the parts just described, the resiliently deformable annular member 1 is simply snapped over the rings, said member having sufficient resilience to permit this being done, so as to bring the encircling groo'veon its inner face into engagement with the flanges on said rings. Thereupon the parts in question thus assembled are placed between the arcuate clamping' members, which are separated for the purpose, it being noted that the upper clampin member has a central opening I! with which the radial passage II) in the resiliently deformable annular member I is brought into register. Upon now drawing the clamping members together said annular member 1 will be forcibly compressed around the sleeve l2 upon the rings I3 interposed between said member. and sleeve and thus secure the latter firmly in place subject only to such movement as the yielding character of the annular member thus compressed will permit.

It should be noted that before the clamping members are thus drawn together the annular resiliently deformable member 1 is free to oscillate about an axis passing through the center to which the transversely curved faces of said member and of the clamping members are drawn. As a result the bearing, or plurality of bearings where more than one are employed, will automatically align themselves with the axis of the shaft S.

It will be further noted that the sides 6 of the upper clamp ng member are formed with inwardly directed, struck-up lugs l8, which are so disposed that in the assembled condition of the parts their outer ends will bear against and support the adjacent portions of the lower clamping member 4. Said lugs are in the form of tongues and may either be sprung over the ends of said member 4 in assembling the parts, or be bent inwardly after assembly.

It will be understood of course that lubricant may be introduced through the opening 11 and thus supplied to the annular space within the bearin either directly or by means of any suitable fitting or connection.

From the forego ng construction it will be seen that my improved pillow block is of extremely simple construction. comprising a minimum number of easily assembled parts. At the same time full provision is made for self-alignment of the bearing and in finally assembled condition a sufficiently yielding support for the bearing sleeve and thus for the shaft is provided so as effectively to dampen vibration.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one expla ned, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a shaft bearing, the combination of op posed arcuate clamp ng members, said members having their inwardly directed faces transversely curved about an approximately common center; an annular member of resiliently deformable material circumferentially fitted to such faces; bushing supported within said annular member; two axially spaced rings interposed between the latter-and sad bushing, said rings having outwardly directed flanges adiacent their inner ends, whereby a lubricant-retaining chamber is provided around said bushing, and said annular member being capable of being snapped over such flanges into seated position on said rings; and scans adapted to draw said clamping members toget er.

2. In a shaft bearing, the combination of a base; an arcuate clamping member attached at its center to said base; a complementary clamping member of general U-shape having sides adapted to fit over said first clamping member and formed for attachment to said base, the sides of such second clamping member being formed with inwardly directed lugs adapted to engage and laterally support said first clamping member, said first clamping member and the arcuate portion of said second member having their inwardly directed faces transversely curved about an approximately common center; an annular mem ber of resiliently deformable material circumferentially fitted to such faces; a bushing supported within said annular member; and means adapted to draw said clamping members together.

3. In a shaft bearing, the combination of opposed arcuate clamping members, said members having their inwardly directed faces transversely curved about an approxmately common center; a unitary annular member of resiliently deformable material circumferentiallyfitted to such faces and conforming to the diametrically opposite portions of such transverse curve of such faces; an annular groove in the inner peripheral surface of said annular resiliently deformablemember; a bushing supported within said annular member; two axially spaced rings interposed between the latter and said bushing, the space between said rings communicating with said annular groove; a lubricant supply passage communicating with said groove; and means adapted to draw said clamping members together.

4. In a shaft bearing, the combination of opposed arcuate clamping members, said members having their inwardly directed faces transversely curved about an approximately common center; a unitary annular member of resiliently deformable material held between said clamping members and having an outer peripheral surface of substantial width conforming to diametrically opposite portions of such transversely curved faces, the inner periphery of said annular member being cylindrical; a cylindrical bushing circumferentially supported within said annular member; and means adapted to draw said clamping members together, said resiliently deformable annular member filling the space between said clamping members and said bushing.

5. In a shaft bearing, the combination of a base; an arcuate clamping member attached to said base with the two arcuate ends of said member extending free; a complementary clamping member of general U-shape having sides adapted to fit closely over such ends of said first clamping member and formed for attachment to said base, said first clamping member and the arcuate portion of said second clamping member having their inwardly directed faces transversely curved about an approximately common center; an annular member of resiliently deformable material held between said clamping members and having an outer peripheral surface of substantial width conforming to such transversely curved faces; a bushing supported within said annular member; and means adapted to draw said clamping members together.

6. In a shaft bearing, the combination of opposed arcuate clamping members, said members having their inwardly directed face transversely curved about an approximately common center; a unitary annular member of resiliently deformable material held between said clamping members and having an outer peripheral surface of substantial width conforming to diametrically opposite portions of such transversely curved faces; an annular groove in the inner peripheral face of said annular resiliently deformable member; a radial passageway through said re- 5 6 siliently deformable member leading to said UNITED STATES PATENTS groove for the introduction of lubricant thereto; Number Name Date a porous bushing supported Within said annular 1 483 903 Masury Feb 19 1924 resiliently deformable member and. closing off 2138659 Kindig 1938 said groove therein; and means adapted to draw 5 2149983 Smith 1939 said clamping members together. 2175978 Swin gle Oct. 10, 1939 GEORGE MEYERS- 2,196,388 Ewald Apr, 9, 1940 2 230 472 Sullivan Feb. 4 1941 i 4E J 1 REF RENCES CITED 2,258,040 Young Oct. 7, 1941 The following references are of record in the 0 2,313,477 Firth May 4, 1943 file of this Patent 2,439,267 Shafer Apr. 6, 1948 

